Volunteers make an impact in the community, and this week, they are being recognized as part of Volunteer Appreciation Week.
One place local volunteers have made a difference is at Community Table in Alliance.
“It seems like a small thing, but it really is huge what they’re doing every day for anybody in our community. We don’t ask age. We don’t ask any information, you just walk in and get a meal. The heart for the community is huge and we just appreciate them so much,” said Whitney Baldwin, Volunteer Coordinator/Executive Director of Community Table.
Baldwin, who has been working with Community Table since 2018, took the time to describe the work accomplished at Community Table, noting the difference it makes to people and showing just how much work volunteers do to make the service a success.
“Community Table is an all volunteer based nonprofit. We serve a free meal to those in need. We serve four days a week, five meals. We do a hot lunch Monday-Thursday and on Thursday they leave with a sack lunch for Friday,” Baldwin said. “There’s so many volunteers. They do everything. They cook the meal, they serve the meal, they clean up. If we didn’t have volunteers, community table would not run. Safeway donates food. We also work with KAB. They do a lot of stuff with us making sure we have volunteers. Same thing with the senior center, RSVP. They have a lot of volunteers come over and help us. A lot of our volunteers come from businesses or church groups. Without our volunteers, Community Table would not run at all.
“It’s people of all ages so we’re able to have kids, as long as there’s an adult with the child. We have lots of kids that come in and help put together sacks or serve a day with their family. There’s all kinds of research showing that whenever you volunteer as a kid, it’s good to volunteer with your school or group. But if you volunteer with your family, it becomes a core memory. It’s something that people really hold onto. We always have, especially in the summer, lots of space for family volunteers. If they can’t cook, they can serve, we always have something for families to come in and do,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin said that as part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, they are working to host a banquet, though as of press time, no plans were set in stone. She explained that people who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact her.
“We’re always needing volunteers. You can get a hold of me through the Community Table Facebook page, or I have a business line that’s 308-455-9175. That one they can give me a call on and I can get them connected,” Baldwin said.